ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Posterior hypopharyngeal wall cancer is rarely encountered. There are diverse surgical approa-ches for this lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have reviewed our 5-year experience with 12 patients treated for squamous carcinoma of the posterior hypopharyngeal wall. Surgery was the definitive therapy for the primary tumor in all patients. All but one were previously untreated. Seven patients had limited resections that preserved the larynx, involving suprahyoid pharyngotomy (1 patient), transoral and suprahyoid pharyngotomy (1 patient), lateral pharyngotomy (1 patient), suprahyoid and lateral pharyngotomy (2 patients), mandibular swing and lateral pharyngotomy (2 patients). The second group consisted of 5 patients with more extensive tumors who required a laryngectomy and complex reconstruction. All in this group required flap reconstruction. RESULTS: Eight were NED, one was lost postoperatively and three patients developed local recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our experience highlights the variety of treatment approaches available in patients with pharyngeal carcinoma confined to the posterior wall.